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Israel cannot take a chance with Syria on the water issue

Water is one of the scarcest resources in Israel. It is one of the most sensitive issues for all Israelis. Israelis believe Syria has tried in the past to alter and affect the flow of water to Israel. Syrian access to the Lake of Gallilee opens up still-fresh wounds. So is the thought of Syrian control of the water sources on the Golan. Syria’s environmental record is also worrisome, and we cannot trust that she will not mistreat water that ends up in Israel.

Syrian counter-arguments to above objection

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This runs counter to many observed developments in Syria, where the environmental movement is beginning to take hold. Even if one shore of the lake is under Syrian control, a peace agreement leading to normalization will require a trans-boundary water agreement through which the water quality in the lake will be monitored, and isotope analysis could easily be used to discern the source of any pollution.

Modern history is full of examples of trans-boundary treaties binding parties sharing a body of water. Such treaties govern the use of the water source entering the shared body of water as well as its thermal and chemical qualities. Negotiating teams can resort to international organizations such as UNESCO and UNEP to assist in drafting the water component of the treaty.

Water has been more a conduit of peace than of war.

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Needless to say, it is anticipated that certain types of development aids will be provided to Syria in lieu of a treaty. One of these aid programs could be in the form of a few modern sewage treatment facilities, with one of these facilities installed to ensure that the lake’s water is maintained in pristine condition and allocated fairly.

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